Algebra question

[nenshou_makoto]

I can not for the life of me remember how to factor problems where there is a coefficient greater than one....

Will someone factor this:

4x^2-12x+9

so that it is in groupings like this ( )( ) (yes I am aware those look like boobs, thanks)
And explain the steps? <-This part is really important

Comments

[wazoo]

lets see if i can remember how to do this. you'd think it'd still be kind of fresh since i just did it like last semester, but lets see.

alright, explaining the steps might not work so well, but lets see what happens.

first of all:

break down 4x^2 into two numbers that will multiply to equal that.

so, the result of that is 2x and 2x.

(2x) (2x)

now, I need two numbers that will produce 9 as a product and can be added together to equal 12. So, multiplying -3 by -9 equals a +9, and then using the FOIL (first, outer, inner, last) method, I can factor things out. So lets try this.

(2x - 3) (2x - 3)

2x * -3 = -6x
2x * -3 = -6x

add -6x to the other -6x and you equal the middle number, -12x.

I don't know how to really explain it very well. i tried my best here. heh.

[wazoo]

So, multiplying -3 by -9

I meant "multiplying -3 by -3". my bad.

[mistress_wench]

(.Y.) ??
Sorry, giving birth makes one's brain de-evolve ;)

[cellochaos]

why hello cassie! :)

ps- i hate math

[nenshou_makoto]

Meee tooo. Also, check out the bulletin I posted on MySpace! I thought about you when I watched that video.